Alumni Relations Gets New Leadership

Marianne Piepenburg ’81, a key member of SMU’s Development and External Affairs (DEA) leadership team, was appointed assistant vice president for Alumni and Constituent Giving and executive director for Alumni Relations in September by Brad E. Cheves, vice president for DEA.

In this new, expanded role, Piepenburg will direct the Office of Alumni Relations and Engagement and the University’s annual and alumni giving effort, as well as continue in her role managing Gift Planning and Endowment & Scholarship Giving.

Piepenburg previously served as interim director of Development and interim executive director of National Major Giving.

“Through all of her assignments, she has continued to lead SMU’s Planned and Endowment Giving programs, where we benefit greatly from her expertise,” Cheves says.

A 1981 graduate of Dedman School of Law, Piepenburg practiced law for several years before moving into the field of planned giving. She was with Baylor Health Care System for seven years before returning to the Hilltop as SMU prepared for its “Time to Lead Campaign” in 1996.

“It is a privilege for me to work with SMU alumni across the country and around the world,” says Piepenburg. “As an alumna, staff member and a very proud mother of two SMU students, SMU is important to my family, and I hope to share this enthusiasm with other alumni, parents and friends.”